Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Samoa Bars

This recipe for Samoa Bars tastes just like my favorite Girl Scout Cookie!

I mean, what’s not to love? Chocolate? Coconut? Caramel? Shortbread? And, put it all together and you’ve got one super, duper yummy cookie! Every year, when the neighborhood girls camp out in front of the grocery store, I have to buy a box. And then…I hide it! I want them all to myself! And, I know it sounds silly, but I ration them. I want to extend the bliss as long as possible.

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly, like wet sand. The dough does not need to come together. Pour crumbly dough into prepapred pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until base is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.

Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula. Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Let topping set until cooled.

When cooled, cut into 30 bars with a large knife or a pizza cutter (it’s easy to get it through the topping). Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish. Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Is It a Keeper?

If the caramel stuck to my fingers (and keyboard!) is any indication…I’d say these are a home run! Holy cow, they are yummy! The recipe makes a big batch — which is a VERY good thing! So, I felt better about sharing them with my husband and son! Of course, they loved them too!

Well, now that I’ve been writing about these cookies, I need to go indulge! Enjoy! For more recipe inspiration, be sure to check out these pages on It’s a Keeper:

Comments

These are my hubby’s favorite girl scout cookie!!! I will definitely make them for him. I think these would be good to take to our family reunion too!! Thanks for posting the recipe Chris! I just love your blog!

What a great find! Thank you for sharing now there will be one more reason for my grand kids to want to come visit LOL. I’m a previous GFC follower on your blog and I’m dropping by to say hi from the Meet Friends Monday blog hop. Since I was already a GFC follower I gave your recipe a shout out with a link from the Blessed Elements facebook page. I didn’t see a facebook button for you blog or I would have joined your page. If you have one then come give me a visit and leave me a link so I can come join up and keep up on your recipes. Have a great day, Grace

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Hi, I’m Christina!

I scour the internet, recipe boxes & cookbooks to bring you only the BEST recipes & products that earn my seal of approval. It Is a Keeper is your source for quick, easy and simple recipes for busy families. READMORE…